First Walk at Penwyllt
My solo walks have been thin on the ground this year. So when I had the opportunity to go this weekend, I jumped at it. Having lived in Ystradgynlais for around three years now, there’s no shortage of nearby places […]
Carrying My Camera with me Every Day
I’ve been using Panasonic Lumix cameras for well over a decade. Starting with an LX-5 back in 2010, it revolutionised my photo taking. Before that, I’d been reluctant to lug my Nikon DSLR with me everywhere — aside from the […]
Winter Sunset on Brecon Road
Winter sunsets are special. A dull grey wall of cloud gives way to warmth and colour for a fleeting moment before darkness descends. They’re a reminder that whilst daylight is on part-time hours, longer, warmer days are on the way. […]
3 Khalis Memo Paris Clones
There are several fragrance houses that do clones that are talked about a lot in the fragrance community — Armaf, Paris Corner, Lattafa, Ard Al Zafaraan. But there’s one brand I’ve been trying for the last year or so that […]
Ferrari Leather Essence
I spent 2019 exploring the range from Ferrari. When you think of scents by car manufacturers, you tend to think they’re going to be a bit lacklustre – the sort of fragrances they don’t keep locked behind glass in Boots. […]
It’s Late August — But I’m in September.
It feels like an age ago I was in shorts and flip-flops, yet it’s only a week since we had a heatwave. Now at the tail-end of August with the rain falling and the darker mornings, mentally I’m finding myself […]
Catching Up on Reading
I used to have so much time to read. One year I read a total of 63 books (but I wish I’d had the note-taking habit back then that I do now). But in recent years, this has declined considerably […]
Introduction
Done is better than perfect. So let’s get this done. I’ve been blogging on and off for years and it’s never really gone anywhere. My themes have been disjointed. I’ve not kept up with regular posts. Interests have come and […]
Forest Trail in Coed Y Brenin
We stayed at Gelli Goch cottages near Dolgellau for an autumn getaway. The weather was pretty horrific throughout, but when there were some sunny spells, I was quick to get out and go walking. Just across the A470 from the […]
Dawn Over The Pines
I love this image. Taken on a dawn walk in the summer, up on the forestry trails that skirt Nant Helen opencast mine in Ystradgynlais. It pretty much encapsulates the sense of calm and wonder I get when walking amongst […]
The Sleeping Giant At Dawn
The Sleeping Giant (Cribarth) is a hill in the Brecon Beacons, overlooking the village of Abercrave. It was given its name due to its profile from the south west looking like a giant lying on his back. Having lived in […]
Candyfloss Clouds Over Waun Gyrlais
I find a certain comfort in seeing the Beacons in the distance when travelling around Ystradgynlais, and I also love the brief optical illusion that comes from a long cloud bank over the mountains. It takes a second differentiate the […]
Caehopkin in the Snow
Waking to snow, I packed my rucksack and headed out into it. Up onto Cycle Route 43, then through the forestry on the edge of Nant Helen open cast mine, all the way to Caehopkin. Whilst overcast when I set […]
Twilight on Waun Gyrlais Heath
This shot on the Waun Gyrlais heath with Cribarth in the distance gives me such a sense of peace. It was a cold but calm early evening and everything seemed very still. Whilst it’s not overly dramatic, I do love […]
Stormlight in Penrhos
I wish there was a single word for this sort of light. The closest I can find is ‘stormlight’ – but it’s not ideal – it’s not always down to a storm. It’s my favourite light and is the rare […]
After the Rain on the Trails
Not a sweeping vista or epic sky, but I love its vibe. I can almost hear the splash of my boots along the trail and the patter of droplets falling from the trees. I can almost smell the woodland damp, […]
Agents of Dreamland – by Caitlin R. Kiernan
NASA have lost contact with their New Horizons satellite somewhere near Pluto. A government agent is tasked with investigating a deeply disturbing massacre at the home of a doomsday cult. A mysterious woman unconstrained by time has visited the past, […]
The Stranger in the Woods – by Michael Finkel
Once I picked up The Stranger in the Woods, I just couldn’t put it down. The true life tale of Christopher Knight, I man who went into the Maine woods and didn’t come back — untraceable for over 25 years. […]
The Silversmith (David Wolf Book 2) – by Jeff Carson
Police deputy David Wolf has returned home to Colorado. But not only is he returning with the body of his dead brother, the Sheriff’s job he’s coveted for so long is given to Wolf’s tyrannical nemesis. Refusing another job offer […]
Apartment 16 – by Adam Nevill
Apartment 16 in the posh London Barrington House has been vacant for over 50 years, but the sounds from within suggest otherwise. When Apryl inherits her late, great aunt’s apartment in the same building, she begins to discover the truth […]